The effect of respiratory muscle training combined with occupational therapy on the upper limb function of stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe the effect of combining respiratory muscle training with occupational therapy in rehabilitating the upper limb function of stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty stroke survivors with upper limb dysfunction were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 25. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation treatment including proper positioning of the affected limb, physical therapy and motor function training. The observation group also received progressive resistance training of the inspiratory muscles and respiration control training combined with occupational therapy twice daily for 4 weeks. The trunk control test (TCT), Berg balance scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for the Hemiplegic Upper Limb and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to assess the core stability, balance, upper limb functioning, upper limb muscle tension and ability in the activities of daily living of all of the subjects.Results:Before the treatment there were no significant differences in any of the indexes between the two groups. Afterward the average TCT, BBS, FMA-UE, ARAT, MAS and MBI scores of both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements were all significantly greater in the observation group.Conclusions:Combining respiratory muscle training with occupational therapy can further improve the function of the upper limbs and daily living ability beyond what is observed with traditional rehabilitation therapy after a stroke.